Sari Saga: An Update

As I get closer and closer to the halfway mark of this year-long journey, I cannot stop thinking of the progress I have made in the six months that I've been walking down this beautiful Indian road. Ya know, it really doesn't seem all that long ago that my attempts to wrap a sari were as futile as my attempts to get through the process without cursing and crying. Then again, as quickly as time has moved, the last time I ran through the halls of Chacko Homes only half-dressed could be years and years ago according to the progress I've made since.

This morning, I didn't even set my alarm for 30 minutes earlier than normal just so I'd have time to toy with the massive amounts of material that were supposed to be forming a dress. I simply got up and began wrapping like I'd been doing this my whole life, like I do it every day. I don't do it every day, but I am doing it more and more often; and, after all this time, it's taking less and less time. And to think that, just a few short months ago, I thought I'd never get the hang of it!

My own abilities are not the only things that have evolved since this sari saga began. The comments I receive from the people I meet when wearing a sari have changed drastically in the past few months. I used to hear things like: "Oh my gosh, you're in a sari! Who helped you?" Now, I don't hear those same exclamations, but, instead, I receive simple compliments, like: "That's a pretty sari, is it new?" And I always respond with: "Yes, and I put it on all by myself. Can you believe it?" And the funny thing is, most people can.

I suppose, through my episodes of cursing and crying, I was the only one who ever thought I'd never be able to do it. I suppose I was the only one who didn't believe in me. And I suppose that, now, I am the only one who was wrong.

It's just a simple sari saga, but it is a good life lesson too. If I can master the art of wrapping a sari, what else might I be able to do?